Live-blogging John McCain and Barack Obama's first debate: Was it a game changer?

8:06 p.m. Was this debate a game-changer?

More than likely, we won’t know that for at least a day or two. And the continuing economic cloud hanging over the country could mitigate its effect.

Obama was strong on the part of the debate that spotlighted the economy (which, because it was at the beginning, was probably the most-watched). But McCain closed strongly, becoming more assertive in the debate’s final 30 minutes and zinging Obama time and again as out of his league on foreign policy.

Obama, who in the past has frustrated fellow Democrats for not being more sharp-edged in responding to GOP attacks, may come in for more such criticism for not more directly responding to McCain’s general theme tonight. Indeed, several times he said he basically agreed with McCain’s critique on various foreign policy issues. GOP operatives can be counted on to take every opportunity to make note of that –- and to argue that if that’s the case, why settle for him instead of McCain? 

We're signing off now, but be sure to keep checking Top of the Ticket throughout the evening for more analysis of the debate.

And look for us on Oct. 7, when we blog the second presidential debate, which will be held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

Good night, all. And thanks for reading.

7:51 p.m. That's all, folks. The candidates have walked off the stage and into the arms of their respective wives.

7:46 p.m. As they deliver their closing statements, the candidates move on from the fray of the debate and drive home their personal narratives, which have played such a big role in this election.

Obama talks about the unlikeliness of his story, and casts himself as a product of the American dream. And John McCain talks about being a veteran, and the lessons that has instilled in him.

7:40 p.m. As the debate enters its last few minutes, McCain again seeks to depict Obama as unready to serve as commander in chief.

With the conversation returning to Iraq, McCain asserts that Obama “still doesn’t quite understand or doesn’t get” what is at stake there for the United States. And, more broadly, he says, “I don’t think I need any on-the-job training.”

And then, in a surprising twist, he compares Obama to Bush, saying that the Illinois senator's shown a "certain stubbornness" that reminded him of the current administration.

7:35 p.m. As the debate has settled into the stated topic of foreign policy, it’s become clear that McCain, with each answer, is seeking to achieve a larger goal: Paint Obama as wet behind the ears.

A prime example came when McCain, as he has in the past, scoffed at Obama’s initial response to Russia’s invasion of Georgia in August. Saying Obama’s first statement did not adequately recognize Russia as the aggressor, McCain said: “Again, a little bit of naivete there.”

7:25 p.m. Did Obama commit a tactical error ...

... in mentioning the moment -– way back in the spring of 2007 -– when McCain jokingly sang a revised version of an old Beach Boys tune, “Barbara Ann”? McCain’s lyrics were, “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."

The moment was captured on YouTube, and Obama broached it in responding to McCain’s efforts to depict him as rash for saying he would unilaterally launch a military strike in Pakistan to take out terrorists.

Obama treated McCain’s singing interlude as indicative of how the Republican would act as president –- giving it more meaning than it deserved.

7:18 p.m. So much for pacifism. When asked about the threat of Iran, McCain gets hawkish again. He says Iran is a huge threat to Israel, and casts Obama as naive for once saying that he would meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad without any preconditions. This sets off a theoretical debate about what such a meeting would look like.

Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad laughs with glee at playing such a big role in a U.S. presidential debate.

7:09 p.m. Now we’re rolling with foreign policy.

Obama says America needs turn its attentions to the region of Afghanistan and Pakistan, one of his favorite talking points. When Lehrer asks McCain what he would do about Afghanistan, McCain stresses that America's priority should be winning the war in Iraq. And he says that America should be careful about its treatment of Pakistan.

McCain seems to be be casting himself as a bit of a pacifist, which is surprising. He says he would be reluctant to cut off aid to Pakistan in order to force its leaders to go after terrorists there. And he mentions that when Reagan was president, he voted against sending troops into Lebanon.

6:53 p.m. More than 30 minutes into the debate, the word “Iraq” is finally mentioned –- by Obama, mentioning the cost of the military commitment there as an area where, given his commitment to ending that as soon as possible, he could cut federal spending.

A few minutes later, the two engage on Iraq, so far repeating their basic positions. Obama stresses that it was a wrong-headed war to begin with, and that McCain was among those miscalculating how it would play out. McCain focuses on the troop surge of last year, which Obama opposed. He criticized Obama, as he routinely does on the stump, for refusing to acknowledge that “we are winning in Iraq.” 

6:46 p.m. Lehrer did his best to get these two politicians to do what most are generally loath to do -– provide specific examples of what they might cut because of the impending cost of an economic rescue plan -– and got stone-walled, especially by Obama.

McCain restated his long-held opposition to federal subsidies for ethanol (goodbye Iowa, a state carried by Bush in 2004; McCain has been trailing there in the polls anyway). Pressed, he offered the prospect of a spending freeze of all programs but those for defense and veterans, as well as the entitlements -– such as Social Security and Medicare.

Obama derided that as using a “hatchet” instead of a “scalpel” in trimming the federal budget. But he offered only the most general statement -– “a range of things … are going to have to be delayed” -– in responding to Lehrer’s question. Instead, he focused on what he won’t want to scale back on, goals such as achieving energy independence.

6:40 p.m. This dialogue is beginning to sound like a broken record. When asked what priorities they would give up to pay for the financial recovery plan, McCain continues to stress that he will cut government spending and Obama continues to stress that he will roll back tax cuts for the wealthy.

That's much the same way they answered the first question.

6:32 p.m. So much, at least out of the gate, for the debate’s stated theme: foreign policy.

And so much, despite Lehrer’s initial effort, for a sustained discussion of the details of an economic recovery plan. Instead, the debate’s first phase has devolved into talking points. McCain is hammering away at one of his favorite subjects –- ending congressional earmarks (and attacking Obama for being part of that game).

Obama is stressing that McCain would continue the Bush-backed tax cuts for the affluent that he wants to end -– while stressing that he himself would push for tax cuts for all other Americans.

6:27 p.m. It’s early, but so far Lehrer’s effort to prod the two candidates to engage in an actual dialogue is falling short. Although he keeps prodding them to engage each other, they’re avoiding basic eye contact, looking instead at Lehrer as they speak.

Also, we should point out that live-streaming is available directly on the Los Angeles Times home page.

6:19 p.m. Both candidates have done a good job of avoiding answering Lehrer’s question about the economic recovery plan directly, but they’ve taken different strategies. Obama is using this as an occasion to attack the Bush administration’s economic policies -– making sure to link McCain to the president.

McCain seems to be trying to strike a bipartisan, less-contentious tone. He seeks to come across as calming -– perhaps cognizant of recent criticisms that his response to the economic crisis has seemed erratic to many. 

6:13 p.m. It's begun. Obama and McCain have come onstage, exchanged a cordial handshake and taken their places behind lecterns.

Lehrer immediately gets down to the gritty stuff by asking the candidates what they think about the economic recovery plan.

Obama goes first. He explains his four-point plan to fix the economy and blames the current problems on George Bush.

John McCain begins differently, first mentioning Sen. Ted Kennedy's illness. He doesn't talk specifically about how to fix the economy, but he repeatedly says that there needs to be bipartisan work to fix it. Jim Lehrer ("the Disciplinarian") isn't pleased with the meandering response, so he asks the exact same question again.

5:54 p.m. Moderator Jim Lehrer (who shall hereafter be known as "the Disciplinarian") is onstage and is lecturing the audience about the rules of the debate. He tells them that when the candidates are speaking, he doesn't want to hear a single clap or hoot from the crowd.

"I need to concentrate, I don’t want to worry about anyone cheering and hollering behind me," he tells the audience. "If you have a cell phone, throw it away or turn it off!"

5:36 p.m. This has been a roller coaster week on the campaign trail, and tonight is America's chance to see the candidates under pressure. Although the focus of this evening's debate is supposed to be foreign policy, we can expect the economy to be front and center. The turmoil on Wall Street has changed the shape of the campaign, and voters are watching candidates' responses closely.

Barack Obama and John McCain have spent hours preparing for this moment, although not as much as they would have liked. McCain's surprise announcement two days ago to "suspend" his campaign to focus on solving the economic crisis disrupted Obama's pre-debate routine.

As our Peter Nicholas reports, Obama had planned three days of debate preparation at a resort hotel in Clearwater, Fla., (with an occasional rally or two in the battleground state). Top aides had flown down to Florida to help him prepare. Gregory Craig, a Washington attorney who defended Bill Clinton in the impeachment proceedings, played John McCain in mock debates.

But Obama's trip was cut short when President Bush asked him to come to Washington on Thursday for the meeting at the White House.  He also lost preparation time by holding a pair of unplanned news conferences to respond to both the economic crisis and McCain's announcement he was "suspending'' his campaign. Aides said Obama spent a total of five hours in debate preparation in Florida -- two on Tuesday; two Wednesday; and one Thursday before flying to Washington.

We reported earlier on McCain's chaotic last few days. Our Bob Drogin reports that McCain will returning to D.C. after the debate tonight, to work on the bailout legislation. He tentatively will resume campaign travel on Monday.

As for the format of tonight's debate: Moderator Jim Lehrer (of PBS) will pose nine questions to the candidates. For each question, each candidate will give a two-minute response, and then the floor will be opened up for five minutes of debate.

To watch live coverage alongside us, you can tune in to CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, the Fox News Channel, and C-SPAN.

Stay tuned! The debate begins in less than 20 minutes.

-- Don Frederick and Kate Linthicum

(Photo: Charles Dharapak / Associated Press)

Comments

[pitbullstew]

I AM SO SICK OF MC-PALIN NEITHER SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR ELECTION BASED ON BOTH OF THEIR LATEST RIDICULOUS PERFORMANCES, HE FOR THE BAILOUT STUNT SHE FOR HER MISERABLE INTERVIEWS WITH COURIC.

[tiger]

why can't they answer the questions, not just float the slogans that their handlers put in front of them!!

[Andrew Miller]

Kind of feel that McCain is winning this awkward debate so far. McCain is more measured - Obama is nervous and has hit no stride.

[tiger]

and p.s. its not my responsibility to provide for the people who bought houses they couldn't afford to begin with. It goes back to personal responsibility - if I can't afford the mortgage payment and I don't understand the mortgage rules, then I shouldn't be buying the house. This is what happens when people count on the government to take care of them.

[Mr. K]

I believe Obama fails to have an effect policy on economic policies, as McCain will not do the same as Bush, but perfect our economy.

[Wolf53]

Go ahead, debate. Let's get it started in here.

[julius silva]

The GOP Economic Idealogy
10 Trillion Reasons why
Trickle down Voodoo Economics does not work

Today the national debt is over 9.6 trillion dollars and growing extremely fast; How we got here is the 10 trillion dollar question? The simple answer is Trickle down economics started by Ronald Reagan also (known as the Voodoo economics back in the 80's.)

When Reagan took office the national debt was a mere 1 trillion dollars, 8 years later it was over 4 trillion, with his economic ideology of cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans and the largest corporations and at the same time increasing expenditures in all areas of government proved to be disastrous and accounted for an additional 3 trillion dollars added to our national debt during his tenure in office. This is the very same economic ideology the Bush administration has been pursuing, as you can see, it has added another 4 plus trillion dollars to the total national debt in less than 8 years

Now, let's be very clear, it's obvious that the government does not produce a product or provide any services that create an income such a corporation or you and I working in exchange for our paychecks, nearly all of the government income comes directly from taxes; personal, corporate, sales taxes, etc.

Let's think about this, for just a minute, The government's budget is no different then our own personal household budget; First, there has to be an income, (paychecks) coming in to our pockets and bank accounts; then there are expenditures, costs of maintaining our obligations and necessities of day-to- day life.

Now Imagine that you decided to give back some of your income, in other words reduce your paycheck by giving a tax cut to your employer, or whatever source of income you may have, but it gets even more ludicrous. Now, go out there and increase your expenditures, by a new car, a bigger house and go on lavish vacations etc. How are you going to pay for all these extra expenditures especially since you just reduced your income? Shouldn't you be cutting your expenses to match your now-reduced paycheck?

The only possible way you could continue with such economic policy is, if you borrow and keep on borrowing any way you can, until you get to the point that you can't even make the minimum payment, that is, the interest on the loan or loans you have outstanding. At this point you are forced to
borrow more money just to pay the interest on the loans so that it does not default.

This is exactly what the government has being doing up to now. They can not balance the budget. That means the income they take in is not enough to pay all the bills including the 650 billion dollars in interest on the loans they owe. The 400 billion or so budget deficit means that the government borrows more money to just to pay the interest on the 9.6 trillion national debt.

One last thought, imagine that you couldn't even pay the interest or minimum payment on your personal credit cards every month. Wouldn't you say that you're ready to fold, go bankrupt, unless you
takesome very drastic steps to get out of this financial disaster?

[Fred Weaver]

OBAMA = JOKE

[Sonia]

I believe in McCain, he seems to be not only more in the topic, but also he has been considerate with Obama since we all know it is untrue what he supposed to be opposed, I think that even he is a republicam he will be a better and experienced presidente.

Obama seems to me like.... ¿Chavez? or any of those bananeros populist.. bla bla bla

[Ryan]

Where is Bob Barr? Was he not invited?

[Sonia]

I believe in McCain, he seems to be not only more in the topic, but also he has been considerate with Obama since we all know it is untrue what he supposed to be opposed, I think that even he is a republicam he will be a better and experienced presidente.

Obama seems to me like.... ¿Chavez? or any of those bananeros populist.. bla bla bla

[Allison]

One of these men sounds like a president, and it ain't Barack.

[smokey]

Without NADER .... the debate is a freakin' JOKE!!

[Allison]

One of these men sounds like a president. And it ain't Barack.

[SPARTACUS]

THE REFUSAL TO HALT THE DEBATE WILL COST THE DEM THIS ELECTION. THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THIS ECONOMIC MESS WHICH THEY HAVE STARTED BUT THEIR RUSH TO THE WHITE HOUSE IS TOP PRIORITY.

[kevin]

BHO .... needs an economic lesson. 40% of americans do not pay taxes. His plan will impact small businesses so bad they will begin to let employees go due to his plan

[Don in Houston]

Where are the questions on defense and world affairs???? Did someone change the format to only be economics (which supposedly Obama is better at debating????) Pathetic!! so far

[Valerie]

Ireland? Did he just say Ireland?

Thanks McCain - I should have started my business in Ireland instead. Great advice.

[Maverick]

Why is McCain laughing when Obama makes points? Obama's counters are hitting McCain hard. jab jab body blow uppercut...

[Jack Strelec]

Obama speaks with jello logic. He has no core, no depth, just slogans

[david]

You're blogging is idiotic. You make subjective calls as to the demeanor of each candidate and yet nothing in what you blog indicates reliable observation.

[cyniccritic]

I think this is a bunch of me too, me too...not one of the candidates is actually answering the questions...maybe because neither of them are intelligent enough to answer a question properly?

[Jay]

...Obama comes across as a reactor instead of being proactive with issues. ...smooth talker though

[Rowan]

Interesting that McCain makes it a point to subtly point out that he has experience in matters of cutting spending while Obama's experience is in excess spending.

[SPARTACUS]

Now the voterS can truly say OBAMA IS ALL TALK but no action.Please Bo step aside while others do their job to fix AMERICA!

[Yomama]

Obama appears confused, reaching, suspiciously talkative. Too combative in the start, allowed McCain excuse to strike back.

[cattzee]

So far Mccain is regurgitating his campaign speeches.

[Caliguy]

McCain is avoiding answering questions asked. He is talking about stuff not asked. He is losing so far.

[SPARTACUS]

thE DEM IS SHOWING THEIR DESPERATION TO WIN WIN WIN AND THAT'S IT .WHAT CRISIS? NO, IT IS THE DEBATE TO NOWHERE FOR THE DEM, tHE VOTERS ARE WATCHING CAREFULLY ESPECIALLY NOV 4TH O8

[aztek77]

McCain = Joke

[Akhilesh Singh]

I am not an american and I have no inclination towards any party. Frankly speaking, JM is beating Obama. He has done his homework. He is impressive and specific. And he is not forgetting to mention his experience. I think experience count. Economic part of this debate was suppose to be pro-obama but he is loosing and I can't wait to see the foreign policy debate.

[Anita]

It is ok to support a war in another country and rebuild their infrastructure BUT not OK to support our country
and the health of those kids who might one day join the military to pay their college since they are too poor to go to school on their own, and dont have 13 cars and 7 houses, or a plane!

[PNW Trojan]

jim Leh is simply letting these buffoons blow smoke - not once did he stop EITHER one and say, 'What is just said, doesn't jibe with your voting. One University study told us 55% of Fortune 500 firms PAID NO (zip, nada, NONE!!!) between 1998 and 2005. We KNOW what the CEO of Wall Street GOT, and I can guarantee you NONE of them paid 38% TAX RATE!!!

Let's go, LA Times, get on this and set THE record straight! And the Big Oil firms; how much did they give Congress and HOW MUCH in NO TAXES did they 'receive?' We can ONLY rely upon our Free Press, as both Party's leadership is over-run with duplicitous obfuscators!

[Rowan]

I think that there needs to be a happy medium between individuals and the government where healthcare is concerned. Neither candidate seems to think so, however, as Obama basically wants to socialize healthcare and McCain basically wants to concentrate on other hot topics. Neither candidate has given a satisfactory answer to the healthcare crisis throughout the entire campaign so far.

[Douglas]

To those who ridicule so-called "trickle down" economics, try to actually understand how things work. Tax the top earners, tax the corporations, tax the small businessman, and all you do is shrink the economy. That will reduce jobs, send corporations overseas in search of more favorable tax policies, and push the economy even deeper into the doldrums. Obama wants to give "95% of the American people" a tax cut. Guess what? More than half of that 95% don't pay taxes at all. That top 5% he wants to raise taxes on (to help pay for his cuts) pay over 50% of the taxes in this country. Increase their taxes and they will find ways to reduce the tax bite by making less. Corporations will pass those taxes onto the consumers in the form of price increases. Raising taxes bites the hand that feed us. Lowering taxes has always resulted in an increase in overall revenues for the government.

[KC]

We need someone with the integrity to admit that the federal government is meddling in issues that aren't for them to command but are rather best left to the states. The federal government needs to stop talking about how to spend our money and instead stop spending our money and let us spend our own money. Federal money should not be sent to states but rather should be kept at the federal level to fund federal programs, the state budgets should be separate and distinct.

[Willard Ferguson]

Jim is giving Obama more air time than he is McCain. The media is still biased in favor of the Democratic Party.

[fl_indy]

I just don't get how giving the middle class $1000 in tax cut is going to grow more jobs. I truly don't believe Obama knows how to create jobs. That's what we need.

[Jan King]

Obama looks nervous. Keeps stuttering. And he smirks when McCain is speaking---very unpresidential. It is clear that McCain is confident and on top of the debate!

[Ginger K.]

MCCAIN = SMIRKING CHIMP II

[wilbur tumlerforts]

government should be run like a business. the people of the country work for the business, either as management or labor. the primary objective of the business is to accumulate resources to provide the BASIC necessities of the people. what are basic necessities of a modern human? health (food, shelter, medicine), education, security. either a FLAT tax or volunteer (hours), interchangable. you contribute to society and thus stay ALIVE and HEALTHY. video games, cologne, and a closet full of tennis shoes are LUXURIES, available from the (gross productivity minus FLAT tax).

the only reason life is so complicated is because people make it so. too bad for the earth. too bad for all of you. FASCISM is very common, just look around.

[BJ Williams]

Obama appears to be more focused than John McCain. John McCain is showing a lot of nevrousness thru his fake laughter. McCain is not very sure of his answers and he continues to agree with Obama on most issues.

[Jan King]

Obama answered McCain by citing his Vice President's experience in foreign policy since he ! Oh my God....he's admitting that HE doesn't know anything and relying on his vice president.
And he keeps interrupting McCain and making comments while McCain is talking! Obama is losing it!!!!!

[Ginger K.]

AND WHY CAN'T MCCAIN MAKE EYE CONTACT? WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

[Sandra Nicoll]

Neither are answering the questions, they are puting the pickels and katsup on the sandwitch instead of giving us the meat (we all want to hear.) Oboma knows how to talk the talk but all of his self proclaimed brilliont plans have to be passed through first; he has said nothing but empty words that only the ignorant would take as truth and/or fact. How could anyone vote for a kindergartener to run a university?

[Fred Weaver]

Five years from now...MAYBE...JUST MAYBE...OBAMA will qualify to be the mayor of San Francisco.

[VJ]

Obama is giving more complete answers. McCain is trying to make himself seem grand and pat himself on the back. But his answers have no substance.

[BJWilliams]

Ms.King, What debate are you watching? I am an independent and the most constructive answers are coming from OBAMA. Let's watch this debate independent of party affiliations and with open minds as Americans.

[Ross]

This is a sad time for this country. One of these TWO losers will be running our country. We should be very afraid.

[Fred Weaver]

Five years from now...MAYBE...JUST MAYBE...OBAMA would be qualified to be mayor of San francisco!